NFL Nation reporters look ahead to what Thursday has in store for each team.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: The Bills are back at their home facility for practice Thursday, most of which will be closed to reporters now that training camp is over. Rex Ryan is expected to indicate which quarterback will start Saturday's preseason game against the Steelers. If first-team reps in practices Sunday and Tuesday were any indication, Matt Cassel could get the starting nod for the second time this preseason. -- Mike Rodak
Miami Dolphins: Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes is getting ready for his preseason matchup against his former Atlanta teammate, Julio Jones. According to Grimes, Jones and Detroit's Calvin Johnson are the two toughest receivers to defend in the NFL. -- James Walker
New England Patriots: The Patriots travel to Charlotte in advance of Friday's preseason game against the Panthers, with no media access at their standard walk-through practice. One lingering question: Will Reggie Wayne make his Patriots debut Friday? He's been doing a lot of watching at practice when reporters have been present, taking it all in. -- Mike Reiss
New York Jets: After Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine, the Jets' cornerback jobs are up in the air. The third preseason game will be important for Marcus Williams, Darrin Walls and Dexter McDougle, in particular. Complicating matters is injured corner Dee Milliner (wrist surgery), who could miss the first four regular-season games. Do they hold a roster spot for him or do they consider short-term injured reserve? It's an option that will be discussed. -- Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: Seven of the Ravens' top nine offensive linemen have dealt with injuries this week, and the left side of the line -- tackle Eugene Monroe (hand) and guard Kelechi Osemele (Achilles) -- hasn't practiced all week. Coach John Harbaugh said there are no plans to limit quarterback Joe Flacco's playing time in Saturday's preseason game against the Washington Redskins unless something happens in the game. -- Jamison Hensley
Cincinnati Bengals: Defensive end Michael Johnson was back on the Bengals' practice fields on Wednesday. The veteran pass-rusher went through conditioning drills for the first time since suffering a knee injury at the start of training camp. Johnson won't be playing Saturday when the Bengals host the Chicago Bears in their third preseason game, but his presence at practice was a promising sign nonetheless. -- Coley Harvey
Cleveland Browns: The Johnny Manziel watch continues. Manziel has not thrown with his right arm in practice since Sunday, the day he left early due to what the team called elbow soreness. If Manziel can't throw Thursday after not throwing Monday and Wednesday, it would be hard to see him playing Saturday against Tampa Bay. -- Pat McManamon
Pittsburgh Steelers: It's time for the inside linebackers to start rounding into form. Lawrence Timmons has missed most of the last two weeks with turf toe, Ryan Shazier has been in and out of practice with minor injuries and Vince Williams has missed time. This is the Steelers' deepest position. It could use a productive day of practice before Saturday's game at Buffalo. -- Jeremy Fowler
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans: Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney said during his rookie year and the preceding offseason that he sometimes tried too hard to do too much because he wanted to prove he was worth the No. 1 overall pick. This year, Clowney said he wants to think less and focus on having fun and playing his assignments. -- Tania Ganguli
Indianapolis Colts: It's uncertain if running back Frank Gore will play in Saturday's preseason game in St. Louis. The third preseason game is the one the starters usually play until about halftime, but Gore has a history of not playing much in the preseason. When asked what he would do if coach Chuck Pagano leaves the playing decision up to him, Gore said he would ask quarterback Andrew Luck and "see what he wants." The 32-year-old Gore sat out the first preseason game and only carried the ball twice for 10 yards against Chicago last weekend. -- Mike Wells
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars will have a light walk-through Thursday in final preparation for Friday night's preseason game against Detroit at EverBank Field. The team might get its first look at safety James Sample, who missed the first two games as he recovered from a fractured right forearm. He's a game-time decision, but how his arm feels on Thursday will be a big part of whether he can play against the Lions. -- Mike DiRocco
Tennessee Titans: Dorial Green-Beckham sprained his left ankle Tuesday and didn't practice Wednesday. The rookie receiver probably would benefit from Friday night off. Justin Hunter hasn't done much in games yet, and it could be a good chance to get him going. -- Paul Kuharsky
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: The Broncos' better-safe-than-really-sorry approach to Emmanuel Sanders' hamstring injury has given Cody Latimer and Jordan Norwood more snaps with the offense's regulars. Latimer has worked as the No. 2 receiver in the base offense alongside Demaryius Thomas in Sanders' absence. Norwood got plenty of snaps at slot receiver in the Broncos' practice with the 49ers on Wednesday, and the extra work could help his cause to make the roster. -- Jeff Legwold
Kansas City Chiefs: Most but not all of the starters will play into the third quarter of Friday night's preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium. Tamba Hali will rotate with Dee Ford at one outside linebacker spot. Ford, the Chiefs' first-round pick last year, got all the starter's snaps in last week's game against Seattle and played well enough that the coaches want to get another look at him with the first group. -- Adam Teicher
Oakland Raiders: Now that he has returned to practice again, Sio Moore will have an uphill battle to win back his starting weakside linebacker job. Oakland coach Jack Del Rio said Wednesday that Moore is working to be a role player right now because he has missed so much practice time. Moore, the starter in his first two seasons, missed two big chunks of training camp as he recovered from a December hip injury. Malcolm Smith, signed from Seattle this offseason, was supposed to be Moore's backup, but Smith has been a standout. Moore will have to work to regain his job. -- Bill Williamson
San Diego Chargers: For a second straight day, inside linebacker Manti Te'o did not practice because of a shoulder injury, which means second-round selection Denzel Perryman could get the first-team reps against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday for the Chargers. Another player who could see extended time due to the Te'o injury is undrafted rookie free agent Nick Dzubnar, who has raised eyebrows at Chargers Park by showing a nose for the football. -- Eric D. Williams
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys: With Saturday's game against Minnesota being the closest thing you'll see to a regular-season content, the Cowboys' regulars have received most of the snaps in practice. For the younger players, this will be a mental test because their repetitions will be cut down. Those who can learn by watching will stand a better chance of succeeding once the regulars are done playing. -- Todd Archer
New York Giants: What's going on with the right side of the Giants' offensive line? Marshall Newhouse, who has been starting at right tackle since the spring, left practice Wednesday with an ankle injury. Geoff Schwartz, the likely replacement, has been struggling with foot problems all summer. John Jerry has worked at right guard and tackle. Rookie Bobby Hart actually got in with the first team when Newhouse and Schwartz had to leave practice Wednesday, but that's a last resort. If the injuries continue to mount, could the Giants place another call to Jake Long? -- Dan Graziano
Philadelphia Eagles: As the Eagles prepare to play the Green Bay Packers, Malcolm Jenkins says they are not the same team that lost to Green Bay 53-20 last season. The Eagles have allowed only two passes longer than 20 yards this preseason. Jenkins says that is just average; it is only good compared to last year's Eagles defense. -- Phil Sheridan
Washington Redskins: With linebacker Junior Galette done for the season, the Redskins must focus on the pass-rushers who remain. Trent Murphy is the logical choice to start, as he has been all summer (though Galette soon would have replaced him). Murphy is stronger, but he's not a dynamic rusher. They'll need rookie Preston Smith to contribute early. He has improved after a sluggish start. They also have backups Jackson Jeffcoat and Houston Bates, who have looked good at times this summer. -- John Keim
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears: The Bears have almost run out of healthy bodies at wide receiver. Eddie Royal is the latest setback. We'll keep an eye on the status of Royal on Thursday after the veteran wideout missed Wednesday's practice because of a hip injury. Head coach John Fox was noncommittal about Royal's status for Saturday's preseason game against Cincinnati. Quarterback Jay Cutler joked he's never experienced this level of bad health before at receiver. Cutler was minus his top four wide receiver targets on Wednesday. Alshon Jeffery (calf) and Marquess Wilson (hamstring) remain officially listed as day-to-day. -- Jeff Dickerson
Detroit Lions: The Lions travel to Jacksonville on Thursday to get ready for Friday's game against the Jaguars. Expect a lot of Detroit starters to play at least most of the first half. This should also be a separation game for guys trying to make the roster. -- Michael Rothstein
Green Bay Packers: Coach Mike McCarthy is preparing backup quarterbacks Brett Hundley and Matt Blanchard for extended playing time in Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles. Aaron Rodgers might only play a series or two -- if at all -- and No. 2 quarterback Scott Tolzien is unlikely to play because of the concussion he sustained last Sunday against the Steelers. -- Rob Demovsky
Minnesota Vikings: In their final practice before their second-to-last preseason game, the Vikings still seem to be trying players in different roles. They had rookie cornerback Trae Waynes with the first-team defense on Wednesday, and could continue to take a look at players in different spots on Thursday. Coach Mike Zimmer said he doesn't buy the idea of treating the penultimate preseason game as a "dress rehearsal," saying, "We're still focused on us." -- Ben Goessling
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons: Thursday's practice for the Atlanta Falcons could be a lot more interesting with veteran quarterback Rex Grossman in the mix to compete for the backup spot behind Matt Ryan. Grossman -- who played under Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan for both the Redskins and Browns -- should have a decisive edge over both T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree, as long as the 35-year-old Grossman is in good enough shape. -- Vaughn McClure
Carolina Panthers: Defensive end Charles Johnson (calf) and wide receiver Devin Funchess (hamstring) finally got on the practice field for team drills on Wednesday. Whether they get on the field for Friday night's preseason game against New England depends on how they respond to their Thursday treatment sessions. It's important that both get snaps. Johnson has missed the first two preseason games and doesn't want his first hit to be in the Sept. 13 opener. Funchess needs to prove he can replace No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin. -- David Newton
New Orleans Saints: The Saints still need to choose a kicker. So far neither Dustin Hopkins nor Zach Hocker has taken the lead where it matters most -- in the preseason games. They're both 2-for-3 on field goal attempts, with Hocker missing a 50-yarder in Week 1 and Hopkins missing a 55-yarder in Week 2. Hopkins, a third-year pro from Florida State, seems to have the slight edge because of his powerful leg. But it's close enough that a clutch kick or two Sunday against the Texans could make the difference. -- Mike Triplett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers will have to make roster decisions soon, and defensive tackle is a position with some tough calls. Gerald McCoy obviously isn't going anywhere, and Clinton McDonald, Henry Melton and Tony McDaniel appear to have roster spots locked up. That likely means there is one more spot for converted defensive ends William Gholston and Da'Quan Bowers or former starter Akeem Spence, who is going to miss time after back surgery and a one-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. -- Pat Yasinskas
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals: Coach Bruce Arians said guard Earl Watford has earned an opportunity to compete for the starting right tackle job. Watford is expected to return to practice Thursday, when he can begin getting reps at right tackle in an effort to win the job away from Bradley Sowell. -- Josh Weinfuss
St. Louis Rams: The Rams are putting a premium on getting their run game revved up this week after a couple of disappointing showings in the preseason. With the first-team offense on the field, the Rams have 40 yards on 14 carries, which is good for just 2.9 yards per attempt. For a team that plans to be run-heavy, that won't be nearly enough. Look for the Rams to keep emphasizing the ground game through this week of practice and into Saturday night's preseason matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. -- Nick Wagoner
San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers unveiled a new starting offensive line and a re-imagined first-team secondary in their first joint practice with the Denver Broncos in Colorado. Marcus Martin slid over from right guard to replace Joe Looney at center. Sixth-round draft pick Ian Silberman played at right guard. And Dontae Johnson (right cornerback) filled in for Kenneth Acker, who had replaced Keith Reaser, who came in for Shareece Wright. Keep an eye out for more tweaks during the team's second joint practice with the Broncos. -- Paul Gutierrez
Seattle Seahawks: Cornerback Richard Sherman is on track to make his preseason debut Saturday night against San Diego -- not that he's all that excited about doing so. "As excited as you're going to be for preseason," he said Wednesday, describing an exhibition game as a glorified practice. While Sherman might not be all that enthusiastic about it, Saturday's game likely will be the first time this preseason that Seattle has its top three cornerbacks on the field together. Nickel back Will Blackmon is also expected to make his debut, while Cary Williams has played in the first two games. -- Brady Henderson